Propeller



(No Model.)

0. T. WELGH.

PROPELLBR.

No. 436,817. Patented Sept. 23, 1890.

wi tmazmaa I |s PETERS cq mnoYc-uma, wwamumn n I:

' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ORRIN T. WVELCI-I, OF TOPEKA, KANSAS.

PROPELLER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of' Letters Patent No. 436,817, dated September 23, 1890. Application filed January 11, 1890. Serial No. 336,624.. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ORRIN T. WELCH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Topeka, Shawnee county, Kansas, have invented cer tain new and useful Improvements in Propellers, of which the following is a specification.

In the operation of ordinary propellerwheels the body of water which is set in motion by the operation of the wheel is thrown partly to the rear and serves to propel the vessel, and partly is discharged radially from theperiphery with no beneficial efiect, so that the power employed inimpartin g movement to so much of the water as is discharged radially is practically wasted. Efforts have been made to correct such defects by the use of blades of different forms with more or less success, but

necessitating in each case a departure from the ordinary construction of propellers.

In order to avoid the waste incident to propellers of the usual form and at the same time render the latter available, I combine with the propeller an encircling deflector, which is secured to the hull of the vessel and which receives the impact of the radial current and deflects the same to the rear, whereby the said current is made the means of propulsion tending to push the vessel forward.

My improvement may be embodied in apparatus of different construction but as shown in the accompanying drawings- Figure 1 illustrates part of the stern of a vessel with a propeller provided with an encircling guard and deflector shown in section. Fig. 2 is a rear view; Fig. 3, a plan; Figs. 4 and 5 view, illustrating different forms of de-= fiector-faces.

For the purpose of illustrating my invention I have shown part of the hull A of a vessel at the stern, with the propeller-shaft or extending through the stern post b and carrying a propeller B of any of the usual forms.

Around the periphery of the propeller is arranged the deflector Gin the form of a plate or band, or, as shown, in the form of a hollow guard bolted to the stern of the vessel in any suitable manner, or forming a part of the hull and provided with a flaring face as directly around the periphery of the wheel and inclined to the line of the axis of the latter. As shown, the guard is cut awayat the lower side to make an opening or passage y, and is recessed to form a chamber to at the rear of the wheel, so as to permit the flow of an abundant supply of water to the rear of the wheel to insure the proper reaction and effect.

WVhen the wheel revolves, a portion of the body of water is thrown outward in the direction of the arrows 1, substantially parallel to the line of the axis of the wheel, while another portion of the water is thrown radially outward in the direction of the arrows 2, but, meeting the inclined face a:,is deflected toward the rear and aids in propelling the vessel forward. By this means the power which is ordinarily wasted inimparting movement to the radial current is more or less utilized, and the speed is increased or the consumption of fuel reduced.

By forming the deflecting-face it upon a re cessed or chambered guard arranged at the stern of the vessel, as shown, the propeller wheel is encircled by a protector, which serves to ward off ice, logs, or other matter which might injure the propellel by contact therewith, while by forming the said guard with an outer surface c, which tapers to the rear,

the water at the side of the vessel is directed inward and behind the propeller in such manner as to be held in position for action upon by the blades, thereby securing a better hold of the blade upon the water and an increased propelling effect.

The casing or guard may be cut away at the sides instead of or as well as at the bottom, the deflector being supported therein in any suitable manner. As shown, the guard is constructed to fit closely to the form of the vessel at the stern, as illustrated in Fig. 2. The face a: may be flaring in any form, is straight,

as shown in Fig. 1, or concave, as in Fig. 4, or

convex, as in Fig. 5. 7

Without limiting myself to the precise con struction and arrangement of parts shown I clai1n--- 1.. The combination, with the propeller arranged at the stern of a vessel, of a surroundin g deflector provided with a rearWardly-flaring inside face as around the propeller, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination, with a vessel and with a propeller at the stern thereof, of a deflector provided with a rearwardlyflaring face 00 ing face as surrounding the propeller, and with around the propeller, and having at one side an outer face 1), tapering to the rear, substana channel y, substantially as set forth. tially as'and for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination, With a vessel and a pro- In testimonywhereof I have signed my name 5 peller thereof, of a guard provided with a to this specification in the presence of two I 5 flaring face w around the propeller, with a subscribing Witnesses.

chamber to at the rear of the propeller, and a ORRIN T. \VELCH. channel y, substantially as set forth. Witnesses:

4. The combination,with the vessel and pro- CHARLES E. FOsTER, 1o peller thereof, of a guard provided with a fiar- W. S. MCARTHUR. 

